In the world of fine dining, there’s a difference between service and hospitality. Service is about giving customers what they need; hospitality is about giving them everything they want, creating memories that entice them to return time and again. A standout restaurant comprises many integral moving parts, from the staff to the food, but it all comes back to one core element: a design that brings it all together. That’s the foundation of a thriving restaurant, and it’s something that Dunne Kozlowski understands well.
The Chicago-based architecture, interior design, branding, and project delivery firm, led by partners Corey Dunne and Paul Kozlowski, is driven by one core belief: meaningful experiences aren’t built on beautiful design alone. The firm has spent 25 years designing spaces that not only catch the eye, but also deliver a memorable hospitality experience for every guest.
“When we think about design, we don’t just consider beautiful colors and materials,” says Dunne. “Hospitality is about more than just getting a meal. It takes into account many things, from how the customer feels to the quality of their experience and the seamless flow of operations.”
With that intention in mind, Dunne Kozlowski works with its clients to design restaurants that enhance the customer experience, creating a visually pleasing space that supports efficient service and a welcoming ambiance. The firm eliminates client pain points by bringing everything under one roof, designing the space from the inside out to turn a customer’s vision into reality.
“We manage every aspect of the design-to-delivery process to minimize the headaches that come with a hospitality project,” says Kozlowski. “We listen to what our clients want to accomplish, helping them create memorable experiences that truly represent their brand.”
The Evolution Of Dunne Kozlowski
Dunne Kozlowski began as a traditional architectural practice. Early on, however, the founders recognized a recurring issue: once architectural plans were handed off to outside designers and consultants, problems often followed. Misalignments among vendors led to friction, delays, and costly revisions.
“We brought interior design services in-house to reduce friction for our clients,” says Dunne. “From there, we’ve continued to evolve by identifying the services in a project that can cause the most problems for our clients and integrating them into our business—allowing operators to stay focused on running theirs.”
Today, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of services from concept to completion, including architecture, interior design, concepting, branding, project management, procurement, and construction administration.
“Being the sole source takes so much stress off a client’s plate,” says Kozlowski. “By surrounding ourselves with talented people from different backgrounds, we’re able to preserve the original vision, make smarter decisions, and deliver better projects.”
Designing From The Inside Out
Dunne Kozlowski’s holistic approach to design and delivery not only differentiates the firm from traditional architectural practices, but also creates spaces that set restaurants up for long-term success.
“We’re not just after a pretty picture on the cover of a magazine,” says Kozlowski. “Our goal is to solve the entire equation for a hospitality experience: business results, operations, and consumer-facing elements alike.”
The firm has seen firsthand how poor layout decisions can undermine even the strongest concepts.
“One of our clients was named ‘Best New Italian Restaurant,’ but they didn’t follow our layout recommendations,” says Dunne. “That disrupted the flow of the space, made service inefficient, compromised the guest experience, and ultimately contributed to the restaurant closing within nine months.”
“Design requires a deep understanding of operational flow and the customer journey,” adds Kozlowski. “That’s what creates a true hospitality experience. Guests should experience a variety of elements—layered lighting, operational flows, scale, and proportionality—working together seamlessly.”
One example of the firm’s successes is its work on Adalina Prime, an upscale steakhouse in Chicago’s Fulton Market district. Today, the 10,500-square-foot space is defined by its elegant atmosphere and curved wooden arches that evoke the grandeur of a cathedral. Initially, however, designing the space proved challenging.
“We inherited a space that felt corporate and unwelcoming, with two stories of glass and a long, narrow footprint,” says Dunne. “Our goal was to focus the eye and create visual elements that drew people in, making them feel comfortable and welcomed. We introduced focal elements at both ends of the space and blurred the line between indoors and out, creating a seamless flow throughout.”
The result is a space that functions equally well for casual daytime guests and upscale evening diners.
“Never underestimate the value of the energy created in a well-designed space,” says Kozlowski. “One guest walked into Adalina Prime and said, ‘This is the energy I want in my home.’ They later became a residential client. This was a defining moment for our firm, as we transformed a space that was a liability into an environment where the energy is palpable.”
Dunne Kozlowski also designed Mosu in Albany, New York, a modern Asian restaurant that catalyzed the firm’s expansion beyond Chicago.
“With Mosu, we were able not only to elevate a brand from 800 miles away, but to elevate an entire city’s restaurant scene,” says Dunne. “We became the go-to designer in Albany, leading to projects like Toro, Sea Smoke, and The Scene. Whether in Chicago or beyond, we’re able to elevate brands to the same level of quality, demonstrating success on a nationwide scale.”
What’s Next
Having established a strong presence in cities like Chicago and Albany, Dunne Kozlowski plans to continue refining its design delivery to further eliminate pain points for hospitality clients. The next step is expanding the firm’s design-led, design-build approach to projects nationwide.
“In today’s marketplace, it’s not enough to have a beautiful design,” says Kozlowski. “To create memorable experiences that elevate a brand, design must be rooted in function—flow of operations, budget, and schedule. You may hesitate to part with your current firm, but it’s worth asking: Do they truly understand your business? Can they deliver a space that’s not only beautiful, but operationally sound and genuinely memorable?” To learn more, visit www.dunnekozlowski.com
